<p>I intend to apply for Engineering Undeclared
Asian/californian/at least top 10%/from a semi-competitive PUBLIC school (15% of 2005 Class will attend Ivies/Cal/UCLA next year)</p>
<p>10th
American Hist. - A/A }
American Lit. - A/A } You're forced to take these classes
Int. Science 2 - A/A }
Algebra 2 - A/A
Orchestra - A/A
Comp Sci - A/A
Spanish 3 - A/A</p>
<p>10th - 11th Summer
Chemistry - A/A</p>
<p>11th
Honors Euro Lit - B/B
AP US Hist. - A/B
AP Chemistry - A/B
AP Stats - A/A
AP Comp Sci - A/A
Orchestra - A/A
H. Pre Calc - A/A</p>
<p>12th - Expected schedule and first semester grades
AP Enviro - A
AP Bio - A
AP English - B
AP Physics - A
AP Gov/Honors Econ - A
Calculus - A
Orchestra - A</p>
<p>... my UC gpa comes out to be around 4.14 Weighted and 3.86 Unweighted - please correct me if I'm wrong</p>
<p>Standardized Test Scores
SAT I - 2270 (720 verbal/760 math/790 writing)
SAT IIs - 790 Chemistry/800 Math IIC
PSAT - 225 (75 verbal/80 math/70 writing); should qualify me for national merit semi finalist
AP Scores - Will these play a role in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Community Service
200+ hours from library and local shelter</p>
<p>Awards
Probably National Merit Finalist, and that's about it</p>
<p>Essays
Average</p>
<p>Recs
Assume they're terrible</p>
<hr>
<p>How many recs does USC require? And from whom does it require them from? I heard that National Merit Finalists get some special scholarship... is this true or just a myth?</p>
<p>AP scores are important in the admissions process. They semi-show how well you will do with college coursework (semi because AP courses are not quite like college classes). And they're standardized across the nation.</p>
<p>NMFs, if they put down USC as their first-choice college, get Presidential Scholarship (half-tuition). More</a> info on merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I think you have a very good chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Merit Finalists automatically get half tuition if admitted. Lets just put it this way. My stats (not including activities) were lower than yours and I got a Trustee Scholarship. USC doesn't require any special number of recs, but I sent three. There is another thread on that around here somewhere. Make sure to make it apparent that you are well rounded on your application- that there is more than school that is important to you. Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>So do you think I can just send 1 rec (from my counselor)? What kinds of extra curricular activities did you include in your app Nikara? Honestly I'm only going to consider USC if I get a full ride or if it's cheaper than Cal's tuition.</p>
<p>I sent in three recs, one from counselor and two from teachers. That is what most of the people here did (I believe). I was a Girl Scout,w/ Gold Award, Student leader at church, assistant coach of a jump rope team, and several other activities. Do you have any activities that you took leadership roles in? That is always really important in apps.</p>
<p>No not really :(. I probably should have done something other than play video games during my high school career. So am I allowed to just send in one rec from my counselor? I've never really acquainted myself with teachers</p>
<p>It probably isn't a very good idea. For USC, it doesn't just have to be school people. If there is anyone else you have worked with or volunteered for, it would probably be okay if you got a recommendation from them. Double check that on your application though.</p>